First, if you plan to seek CPT through the University of Dallas, read this:

The Office of Personal Career Development directs several requirements determining
UD student eligibility for CPT. Students have ample time to complete these requirements before the minimum waiting
period expires, so exceptions to these requirements will not be approved.

Event:Attend at least one career event hosted by the OPCD

Must be sponsored (hosted) by the OPCD

Will include employers as integral to the programming at the event

Scheduled during the fall and spring semesters only (plan accordingly)

Students should register for events, arrive on time, check in with OPCD staff, and stay for the entire event (or if a
job fair, a minimum of 45 minutes)

Workshop:Participate in the UD CPT workshop.

Only three are scheduled each year (June, September, February - plan accordingly)

Attendance at the entire event is required (late arrivals, early departures not accepted)

As an international student studying in the U.S. you are in good company...

Did you know that nearly 975,000 international students enrolled at U.S. colleges and universities in 2016? Many international students at
the University of Dallas want to work and live in the U.S. beyond graduation. The
following information is intended to help you understand, and thereby overcome, some
of the obstacles associated with seeking employment in the United States. Below,
you will find an overview of the job market, where to apply, resumes, interviewing, and links to resources. Unfamiliarity and discomfort in the job search process will put you at a disadvantage
when competing for jobs.

The student bears the responsibility drive his or her own job search, secure a position,
and to comply with all immigration regulations and policies at the University of Dallas
which apply to F-1 students, including employment regulations. Working without the
proper authorization is a serious violation of a student's F-1 status. The University
of Dallas has resources for students as they engage in this process. After reviewing
the information on this page and meeting with a member of the International Student
Office. Students are encouraged to schedule an appointment with a Career Services staff member.

Understanding the U.S. job market & hiring complexities:

The U.S. job market is highly competitive with almost 3 million students graduating
annually and looking to start a new career related to their bachelor, master, and
doctoral degrees. As an international student who seeks employment in the U.S., you
have to find a suitable position and an employer who is willing to spend the extra
time and money sponsoring your visa.

To realistically compete with U.S. citizens, you need to be able to prove that you have skill sets they do not have. Companies need to be clear on the extra value you add over and above the value a
U.S. citizen can add for them to even contemplate the visa process.

Hiring an international candidate requires employers to go through the following process:

Petitioning the government for an H1-B

Obtaining approval from the Labor Department

Hiring a lawyer absorbing some fees

The state of the job market impacts the willingness and ability of employers to sponsor
international students. The number of H1 B Visas is capped each year. The 2016 fiscal
year quotas were as follows:

Regular H1B Quota : 65,000

H1B Masters Degree Quota ( only US Degrees) : 20,000

Out of the above, a total of 6,800 is usually set aside for Singapore and Chile citizens
as part of the free trade agreement between them.

According to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, these are some of the guidelines
employers must follow if they seek to sponsor an international candidate:

Aliens with extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics

Aliens who, because of their exceptional ability in the sciences, arts, or business,
will substantially benefit the national economy, cultural, or educational interests or
welfare of the United States

Aliens who are capable of performing skilled labor (requiring at least 2 years of
training or experience) or unskilled labor for which qualified workers are not available in the U.S.

Before you begin your job search:

University of Dallas Immigration Services for Students and Scholars

The first step in the job search for international students is to ensure you have
employment permission. The more you know, the easier it will be to persuade a prospective
employer to hire you for a period of “practical training.” Visit the Immigration Services for Students and Scholars office site for more information.

Tips for international students:

Plan ahead: As an international student you face certain challenges and restrictions regarding
the U.S. job search. We suggest that you begin your search early - at least a year
in advance of your graduation date.

Know the rules & regulations: Understand the visa process, deadlines, costs, length of process, and which companies
hire international students and graduates.

Communicate clearly: Communication skills are very important. Use every possible opportunity to strengthen
your command of spoken and written English. Your resume, cover letters, and LinkedIn
accounts should all reflect error-free, compelling content that is consistent with
a U.S. format. Check and respond to email daily.

Understand your strengths: Know your unique assets and academic training, and focus on employers that have a
strong need for all of those strengths.

Network: Networking is even more important for the international student than for a U.S. citizen.
By networking we simply mean systematically making personal, written, or telephone
contacts with relatives, friends, and alumni in the United States and back home who
may be able to help you in the search. Each person whom you contact becomes a participant
in your search. Fellow students from abroad who have gained some experience with the
U.S. job market may be able to help you with your search for a position.

Seek the right companies: In your research and networking efforts, concentrate on employers that have connections
(offices, subsidiaries, marketing teams, sales forces) to your country of origin.
These companies may have an interest in you working for them in this country, or to
return to your home country after initial training in the United States. In addition
to the resources on campus, contact your embassy. Often, foreign embassies maintain
lists of contacts for employment. Contact them!

Find opportunities (resources & job boards):

The best employment prospects for international students may be with international companies. International students are great assets to global organizations desiring language
skills, respect for diversity, and/or knowledge of overseas economies. International
students should also seek out organizations that have historically sponsored H1-B
Visas.

MyVisaJobs - Information portal and online community for visa job hunters around the world.
Major services include annual and quarterly reports for H1B Visa and Green Card, sponsor
profiles, resources for job seekers (including a resume service).

H1Base - Online, interactive database that allows international students to directly connect
with the top 550 H1B sponsor companies. Includes an immigration kit that provides
links to key forms, information, and free access to immigration attorneys. Includes
a networking kit that provides links to job search engines and job sites specifically
designed for international students.

Immihelp.com - Job seekers can use the immihelp searchable database to seek out employers who
have historically sponsored H1-B Visa candidates.

For International Jobs and Internships (not limited to the U.S.), check out iHipo.

Resume guidelines:

U.S. Resume

All job seekers need a pristine resume which delivers a good summary of professional
contributions, achievements, and competencies. Concise, well-crafted communication
is key in writing a good resume. Review our page on resumes and cover letters for more information. One of the best online resources for resume writing is the
Purdue Owl Writing Lab Resume Workshop.

The U.S. resume is a concise, attractive marketing tool. It summarizes your jobs,
skills, accomplishments and relevant academic background.

Cover Letters, resumes and emails must adhere to strict grammatical rules. U.S. employers
expect excellent communication skills and usually disregard applicants who have made
written errors in language and grammar

The length of the resume is limited to 1-2 pages maximum.

Age, marital status, race, and religion are not included in the resume.

A photograph of the job seeker is not included.

International Resume (not used when applying in the U.S.)

Chronologically details academic and formal work experience

Sometimes exceeds two or more pages in length.

May include age, marital status, race, and/or religion.

Often includes a photograph of the job seeker.

Resume Tips for International Students

Provide a frame of reference (quantifiable results) to help American employers understand
your experience in foreign companies and schools. Here are some examples:

A $10 million marketing firm.

One of the top five universities in China.

Second largest technology manufacturer in Europe.

Emphasize strong English skills on your resume. For example: "Translated written and
spoken English on a daily basis for two years."

Check to be sure that your resume is free from grammatical and spelling errors as
well as any awkward use of language.

Meet with a career counselor for a resume critique to achieve the best possible display
of your skills and background.

Maintain an up-to-date copy of your resume in the format and language of your native
country. This will serve as a back-up for employment options in your home country.

Study commonly asked interview questions; write answers to those questions; practice
your responses in front of a mirror as well as with friends.

Schedule a mock interview with a career counselor to receive feedback on interview
skills, telephone interviews, on-campus and firm interviews.

Frequently asked questions:

Should I list my visa status on my resume?

Your visa status should not be included on your resume. Your permanent address, educational
background and work history will display that you are an international student. Hiring
managers will ask the appropriate questions during the recruitment process. You should
never lie about your visa status, but given the reservations employers have about
hiring an international student, it is not to your advantage to draw attention to
it.

Aren’t there some illegal questions?

An employer MAY NOT ask:

What is your visa type, nationality, place of birth? or, Of which country are you
a citizen?

What is your native language? or, What language do you most often speak?

An employer MAY ask:

Are you legally authorized to work in the United States? or, Will you now or in the
future require sponsorship for an employment visa?

Which languages do you read, speak or write? (provided that foreign language skills
are job related)

When in the hiring process do I reveal that I’m an international student?

This is a very sensitive question which needs to be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
While some employers adhere to strict policies against hiring foreign nationals, others
may prefer to hire U.S. citizens, but can be otherwise convinced. Therefore, it should
be your goal to get passed the initial screening measures to the interview. On the
other hand, you should probably broach the subject before the employer has spent a
significant amount of time and money trying to recruit you. It is usually recommended
that students address the issue of their work status during the first or second interview,
but no later than the time of the job offer.

If a company says they don’t hire international students, should I even apply?

Sure - unless the job description specifically states that international candidates
may not apply. A lot of times when employers say they don’t hire international students
it means that they haven’t hired any international students, yet. You may be the first!
In order to convince these prospective employers, it is your responsibility to educate
them about the process of hiring a foreign national. Be mindful that they still may
not hire you, and this can become frustrating. It is recommended that you first target
organizations with a history of hiring employees on a work visa.

What can I do to make myself a more attractive candidate?

Have your resume and cover letters reviewed by Career Services, an employer or alumni

Become thoroughly familiar with immigration regulations and benefits attached to your
visa status

Research the employers and the positions in which you are interested

Participate in a mock interview

Practice speaking confidently about your skills, interests and career goals

Improve your English skills by speaking up in class, conversing with your advisor,
or any other opportunities to speak. Likewise, fine tune your written English.

PRIOR TO ACCEPTING ANY EMPLOYMENT IN THE USA, THE STUDENT IS URGED TO CONSULT WITH
A UNIVERSITY OF DALLAS DESIGNATED SCHOOL OFFICIAL WHILE ENROLLED.

News

Although she herself is not able to vote, Liz Magallanes, BA '18, works to make voting possible for other people. She first got involved with the organization Mi Familia Vota in 2014 and has been contributing to their endeavors ever since, including working with high school students in Dallas ISD. Additionally, she recently had a role in the play "Deferred Action."

When he began his career at UD, which was at the time a brand-new university, Al Ogletree built his ballfield out of a cow pasture in the Trinity River bottoms, teaching his boys about leadership as well as about the game they played.

Once friends at John Paul II High School in Plano, Texas, Stephanie Lobo, BA ’18, and Rebecca Luna, BA ’19, can both remember the moments they set their horizons on transferring to the University of Dallas. Though their paths diverged briefly following high school, their friendship is now reunited on our university’s Irving campus.

The University of Dallas is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. The university does not discriminate against individuals on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, genetic information, protected veteran status, age, or disability in the administration of its employment practices.